I'm surprised to hear that what you described is not aggressive. I'm sure someone here will have some insight. In the mean time, I feel for you.

Thanks DrSLPT. Maybe he is being aggressive and I'm just frustrated because it's been over a year and I'm not seeing a big change. Maybe it just takes a long time to get relief? Maybe we don't see big changes and just periods of feeling better? I'm just trying to wrap my brain around all of this and really appreciate your thoughts

It took me about a year to start feeling like the good weeks were outnumbering the bad ones. When I am flaring up I feel like I've made no progress. But in between I realize that it's overall marginally better because the flare ups don't get quite as bad as they did the first year.

I was doing really well on plaquenil & sulfasalazine. Then the sulfa.. started causing me severe gastritis. Now I'm off and had my worst flare in a long time. I guess I need to make an appointment soon. I've been procrastinating. Hoping.

I'm sorry you are flaring too. It's encouraging to me to hear it took time for you to tell a difference. That makes me hopeful!

TK, how long have you been on Humira?

There aren't any quick and easy answers here, and progress can be slow. I hope you can find the right combination of treatments.

TK,

I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. Perhaps I am not understanding correctly. But, if you've been on Humira for one year without results, perhaps it is time to move on and try another biologic.

Remember, there are something like nine biologics so there are choices besides Humira. Also, perhaps a stronger DMARD like Methotrexate could be in order.

It certainly is an individual decision to get a second opinion. Any physician that doesn't encourage a second opinion is lacking in self confidence is how I look at it.

Lastly, may I please add that not only your lab values but all of your medical records belong to you and should be easily accessible to you at your asking.

I have a copy of every lab result and a copy of the impression of every medical test done, MRI's, X-Rays, CT's, etc.... I like to keep my entire medical team on the same page. Plus, I can easily see the progression of the disease this way.

Take care,
TheWino

P.S. These are my opinions only. I am not a physician.

TK, you're already on one of the major biologics so you're on aggressive treatment track. But their effectiveness is getting something like 30-40% of patients feeling 50% better. And they are designed to be taken with MTX.

It appears that what humira targets is not your particular inflammatory agent, so might be time to discuss a biologic or MTX that targets different part of immune system.

I went for eleven years without remission. The meds I was on kept me down to mild/moderate symptoms which were bearable. I've only enjoyed painfree remission for the last year or so since I went on different treatment plan. So it can take quite a while to find the magic bullet.

the meds you're on are pretty assertive for treatment. humira should kick in within 3 months if you're going to see any improvement. and as far as your lab/test results, ask for them! some doctors just interpret them and then tell you what they're going to do - not WHY they're going to do it. i ask for copies of all lab results and keep them in a folder so i have them for my GP and my records. especially if i end up going to another rheumy or get a second opinion.

methelprednisolone is a steroid and should help with any RA related swelling/pain. if it doesn't, your swelling/pain may not be directly related to RA.

TK, there is no one solution which works for everyone and it can be a real rollercoaster ride trying to find the meds combination which works for you.
I was diagnosed in December, 2009 and as yet, I haven't found my magic "meds cocktail". This is despite a quick diagnosis and a Rheumy who is treating aggressively. The only thing which has worked somewhat is Methotrexate and I have been on the highest dose for 4 years. I have been on 3 biologics - Enbrel, Orencia and Actemra infusions. Due to a staph infection, my last infusion was January 9th and I have been on antibiotics since January 20th. At the moment, I have been in a flare for weeks,

I think it's worthwhile for you to get a second opinion, even if it's just to set your mind at rest. I know how frustrating it is. Hope you can get some relief soon.

Sorry I cant offer any advice on your situation but just want to offer my support.

I don't have your DX or take those meds (well I do take plaqueinil) but I can tell you that if something is going to work, it should not take a YEAR. I do think you need to see another rheumy. I saw several before I found the excellent ones.

I would suggest, in particular cases like this, and this is just MHO, don't take any records with you when you go to a new one. Let them DX you from afresh. That way they are not influenced by someone else's possible erroneous DX. That's what I did.

I did tell new docs about my meds, of course, but when pressed I would say "they hinted at possible ___name dx___ but ...
that was true for me as I had no permanent label at that time, which helped me in the long run.

Whenever I took a med that ended up working, I would always notice some kind of boost, however small, within, say 1 week - 1 month, something like that.

I think you would greatly benefit from seeing another rheumy. I hope you get some relief soon!!!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! You are all the BEST!! Feeling a little better today especially knowing this is a long procedure to find the right combo. I have been on Humira for 9 months and Doc is looking into changing me to Enbril I think. I'm going to give him a chance since the majority of you are saying it doesn't happen fast. At least I know where I can get the best support when it's most needed! Thank you all again

I can't offer any advise on the meds...but I do find it odd that he want tell you your results! they are YOUR results...I had a terrible first rheumy, he didn't listen to me, nor would he give me my results. After seeing my current rheumy they did extensive blood work. They post my lab work online for me to see as soon as it come available. Then I met with the nurse practitioner just to go over my labs.

If you are not comfortable with your doctor, then yes I would seek a 2nd opinion. My first rheumy cost me five years of treatment.

Good luck!

Even if you don't want to leave your current doctor, you can still get a second opinion. Someone mentioned on a recent thread that you just need to make it clear to the first doctor that you're not planning on leaving them, you just want another doctor's opinion. That may give you some more perspective on the different options of treatment. You may even find you like the second doctor better and decide to move to them permanently.

In my experience, you can request all your medical records, you just have to sign a form at the doctor's office. It is always a good idea to look them over because sometimes the written information is different than what they tell you in person and you may have to tell them to either clarify or correct it. If you request them before your next appointment, you could discuss any questions with your doctor as to what they are monitoring you for and what the different terms mean. I know for me they do a complete blood count (looks at red and white cell counts), a liver and kidney panel, an erthrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and a C-reactive protein test (CRP) every 3 months. The ESR and CRP are measures of inflammation in the body, but they can be high for reasons not related to RA.

I hope you find a treatment that works soon!

My dr said she would give me any biologic except humira, don't know why. If you have been on that for a year, that is plenty of time to see if it's going to do it's job and evidently it isn't so time to switch, I feel you should know if something is going to work with in months really. Just hang in there and have a talk with the doc.....hope things get better for you.